Reportedly, Blanchard was privately courting buyers for the Price Tower, but now the skyscraper is heading to the auction block. On August 22, Price Tower was listed with Ten-X, an online auction site, with a starting bid of $600,000. The auction will begin on October 7 and will run through October 9. The reserve price remains undisclosed.
“This move allows us to reach a broader audience of potential buyers who can appreciate the property’s unique architectural significance,” Blanchard wrote in a press release. Blanchard did not return AD’s messages requesting comment.
The 60,335-square-foot building sits on 2.07 acres, and all the fixtures, furniture, and equipment for the restaurant and hotel will be included. This will allow new owners to reopen the businesses promptly if they wish. Currently, around 10,500 square feet of the tower holds offices, while the hotel uses approximately 49,800 square feet.
“We are committed to securing a fair and competitive sale, and we encourage all interested parties to participate in this unique opportunity to become a part of the ongoing history of Price Tower,” real estate broker Scott Schlotfelt told the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise.
The listing did not disclose how the historical art and artifacts covered by the easement would be addressed, though the valuable art collection is required to remain with the building. Gordon notes that the terms of the easement require that the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy be able to meet with prospective buyers to explain what it would mean for their purchase.
“Our hope is that Price Tower can find new investors dedicated to its preservation and the easement to safeguard these collection items,” Gordon said.
Long-time tenants in the building included B Monthly, a local magazine, which has already begun moving out. Managing Editor Keith McPhail says that he’s sympathetic to the challenges any owner of Price Tower will face, as many improvements that would make it more modern and energy efficient can’t be completed due to the building’s place on the National Historic Registry.
“I hope the community can come together and support the Price Tower. It’s sad to see the building chained up and the lights off,” McPhail says. “Seeing it dark at night is a sad day.”
“Our hope is that Price Tower can find new investors dedicated to its preservation and the easement to safeguard these collection items,” Gordon said.
While the ultimate fate of Price Tower is unknown, Bartlesville residents remain hopeful it can be saved. “Any place can have beautiful architecture, but the stories that make an impact leave lasting memories,” says Maria Gus, executive director of Visit Bartlesville. “We believe the story of the Price Tower is far from over.”
